Cabot Hall Buildings

Overview

Location: Canary Wharf, London

Client: Canary Wharf Contractors

Scope: Increased loads using FRP system

The demand to extend the retail space of London's Canary Wharf
initiated the part commercial development of Cabot Hall. In order to
ensure the capability of the structure to support a high pedestrian
loading, the existing slabs underwent extensive strengthening.

The
traditional strengthening method, the utilization of steel sections, was
not a viable option for the Canary Wharf project. Due to restricted height
access, the installation of approximately 10,000 metres of Carbon Fibre Plate (FRP) was instead proposed. As a result of their successful
business relations, Structural Systems collaborated with Mott McDonald to
reassess the requirements of the Canary Wharf strengthening.
Subsequently, Structural Systems and Mott McDonald Altrincham (lead designers
of Fibre Reinforced Polymers), were able to reduce the original
10,000mtrs to 4,350mtrs of Carbon Fibre Plate at a large reduction in
cost.
Prior to the installation process, pull off tests were undertaken on the
slab soffit to provide both designer and contractor with the confidence
that the slab was sufficiently strong enough to allow for the bonding of
the carbon to the soffit.

The installation of the carbon
fibre was undertaken in a two
stage process with the first
layer being applied in the same
direction followed by the
second layer being applied at
90 degrees to the first layer.
With the reduced quantities
along with reduced labour for
installation, Structural Systems was able to
provide the client with a far
more cost effective solution
from that originally specified.